The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to members of the Maratha community residing in the Marathwada region. Kunbis, traditionally associated with agriculture, are categorized as Other Backward Class (OBC) in Maharashtra. To be eligible for Kunbi certificates, individuals from the Maratha community in Marathwada must have references to their Kunbi status in Nizam-era revenue and education records. The Marathwada region, formerly part of the Hyderabad kingdom, later merged into Maharashtra. A five-member committee led by retired judge Sandeep Shinde will establish the Standard Operating Procedure for granting caste certificates based on Nizam-era documentation.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Kunbi Community: Kunbis are an agricultural community in Maharashtra, primarily associated with farming.
- Marathwada Region: Marathwada is a geographical region in the Indian state of Maharashtra, historically significant and known for its agriculture.
- Nizam-era Documents: These refer to historical records and documents from the period when Marathwada was under the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad.
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): SOP is a set of step-by-step instructions or guidelines established to ensure consistency and efficiency in performing tasks, in this context, for issuing caste certificates.
